Masaniello

Tommaso Aniello (1622-16 July 1647), better known as Masaniello, was the leader of a revolt against the rule of Habsburg Spain in Naples in 1647. His rebellion was crushed by John of Austria the Younger, and he was executed, making him a martyr for Italian nationalists.

Biography
Tommaso Aniello was born in Vico Rotto al Mercato, Naples in 1622, and he came from a humble family. He spent his whole life in the market center selling fish, and he opposed the high taxies levied by Habsburg Spain during the Thirty Years' War, the Portuguese Restoration War, the Franco-Spanish War, and the Dutch Revolt. Masaniello attempted to smuggle his fish directly to the nobles to evade paying taxes, which led to his imprisonment and radicalization.

In May 1647, a revolt against the Spanish broke out in Palermo, Sicily, and Masaniello instigated a rebellion among the merchants of Naples at the same time. He administered justice from a wooden scaffold outside of his house, wearing the average fisherman's garb, and he attempted to prevent the mob from engaging in vandalism. He had the Duke of Maddaloni and several other opponents of the revolution executed, and the Mafia drove off the troops summoned from the outside and elected Masaniello "Captain-General" as the revolt spread to other provinces. The revolt led to the Viceroy accepting Masaniello's terms and ending the taxes, and he was offered a pension. However, he sought a return to his humble life as a fisherman. The nobles of Naples opposed this deal, and they failed to assassinate Masaniello. His actions echoed those of his populist Roman predecessor Cola di Rienzo, as he appeared to be poisoned due to his growing insanity, and he was assassinated by grain merchants at a monastery after verbally attacking his fellow citizens. Extremists took over, and the Neapolitan Republic was proclaimed.